Herb is the Word: 6 Common and Uncommon Herbs You Need to Know About and Use

Why including a variety of herbs in your daily diet can optimize health and which herbs have been shown to fight and prevent disease

I grew up with a mother who used an abundance of different dried seasoning and herbs in her cooking. Our spice cabinet was something I loved to comb through and explore. Every summer in Canada she grows the cutest little herb and vegetable garden in the backyard of her home and the smell of these natural home-grown herbs and vegetables is intoxicating.

It is clear the difference not just in look, but smell of freshly grown plants vs. the ones you get packaged in the grocery store. Our bodies attune to these smells that invigorate our sense of smell as well as our sense of taste.

I try to buy fresh, organic herbs and spices every time I grocery shop. I like to have an abundance of mason jars littering my counter filled with parsley, cilantro, and dill; as well as an herb and spice drawer reminiscent to my mother’s.

Are these plants just all bark and no bite?…. what I mean is do they just smell and taste “good” and that’s it?

Nope, herbs and spices are not just pretty faces. They come packed with nutrient density that can elevate any meal in taste and health value.

There are hundreds of different herbs and spices I could talk about, however, today I am just going to guide your attention to some common herbs you know of but, maybe don’t know why you should use them everyday as well as some new herbs that once you find out what they can provide, you may seek out as well.

1.     Ginger

In India, it’ s known as maha-aushadhi, meaning “ the great medicine.” Ginger has been used in ancient practices of medicine for centuries. In the Eastern hemisphere it has long been a popular remedy for headaches, nausea, and pain. When more Western practices heard about the potential of this flowering plant from Southeastern Asia, they put it to the test in several trials. They discovered mixing a quarter teaspoon of powdered ginger in some water helped relief migraine symptoms at the same rate as the traditional drug sumatriptan, but without the side effects. It has also been proven to help with menstrual cramping and reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding when taken days before the female period begins and during the menstrual cycle. Ginger has also been found to act as an anti-vomiting agent, aids in digestion, and helps reduce inflammation. Ginger is popular to be taken in a juice, squeezed into a shot, grated into a curry, or sipped as a tea.

2.     Amla

Amla is considered the most antioxidant packed uncommon spice. Amla is powdered dried Indian gooseberry fruit and is one of the most important plants in Ayurvedic medicine. This powerhouse of nutrients can be consumed juiced, raw, or powdered. Amla powder can easily be found on amazon and daily serving added to any smoothie or oatmeal bowl to gain its benefits. It is rich in Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and has beauty benefits for your hair and nails. It’s powerful amount of antioxidants help counter DNA damage received from everyday pollutants and toxins in our food and daily life. I like to mix a tsp of amla powder, ginger powder, squeeze of lemon, and honey for a great antioxidant rich beverage. The change I have seen in the thickness and health of my hair since consuming this powder has been my #1 best kept health and wellness secret.

raw amla

3.     Oregano

Oregano is also rich in antioxidants and ranks as one of five in highest anti-inflammatory properties beside onions, cinnamon, oyster mushrooms, and tea leaves. Oregano was put to the test to see it’s effect on reducing the DNA-damaging effects of radiation and found it reduced chromosome damage by 70%. Petri-dish studies have found oregano to contain anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Beating out all other herbs in one study, oregano was able to suppress cervical cancer growth in vitro while leaving normal cells alone. Oregano has a more bitter taste with traces of mint and is great to add to a salad, pasta, or found in an oil now you can add a tsp to a green smoothie.

4.     Cilantro

There are two types of people: those who love cilantro and those who hate it. It can be fresh and fragrant for some and dirty and buggy for others. Hopefully, you fall in the former because cilantro is some healthy stuff. Cilantro is one of nature’s oldest herbal prescriptions. It is a proven anti-inflammatory shown to help those suffering from arthritis and gout. This herb can be found dried or fresh, however I much prefer it fresh. It can be juiced or added to just about any meal as a beautiful, tasty finisher. Another herb packed with antioxidants, if you blend olive oil, soaked cashews, lemon juice, pine nuts, cilantro, parsley, and dill, you have a pretty amazing antioxidant rich, clean vegan pesto!

5.     Marjoram

Another uncommon herb, marjoram has shown promise in fighting the metastatic spread of cancer cells in breast cancer. It has also been shown to be able to “restore hormonal balance” in a study conducted using marjoram tea for polycystic ovary syndrome. When the women drank two cups of the tea a day on an empty stomach beneficial effects on hormone levels were observed. It has also been shown to be a key anti-inflammatory, anxiety reducing, aid with digestion, and have a wonderful calming effect much like that of ashwagandha. Marjoram can be used in tea, oil, or dried herb for cooking, forms.

fresh marjoram

6.     Parsley

Parsley is a flowering plant from the Mediterranean and closely resembles cilantro. It provides great nutritional value and offers many potential health benefits. This herb is packed with key antioxidants including vitamin A, C, K as well as folate and potassium. The density of vitamin K helps with bone health improving bone density and encouraging the production of osteoblasts. Parsley also contains three types of carotenoids shown to help with vision problems. I like to juice parsley or chop it up and garnish on a pasta or salad.